Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-15
THE MINORITY REPORT,

THE MINORITY REPORT.
Mr.. Filcher subscribed his name to the
following:
The cells used for dungeons or solitary con
hnement of prisoners at Folsom are the same as
the other cells. except that the yentilating holes
in masonry work at the back and bottom of the
cells are closed TO prevent contraband articles
being received through them from other prison
ers, and the main aperture in the iron door, a
hole about one and a half by six inches and
from one and one-halfinch holes are covered
by an iron hood, intended to darken the cell.
Through the wall, over the door on a level with
the ceiling, is a hole varying from eight to
twelve inches long, by about two inches deep,
to allow the escape of foul air. Some of the
other cells have not yet got this last named
aperture
There are twelve OF these so-called dark OF
dungeon " cells, and that portion of the cor
ridor on which they front, or open, is separated
from the balance of the south corridor BIZ
board partitions. The furniture in the solitary
or dungeon cells consists of a narrow straw
mattress laid on the stone floor, blankets and a
siop-oueket In each OF these cells were found
from one to two prisoners, suffering confinement
for various infractions of prison rules. George
Campbell, an insane man, is confined in his cell
and Richard Steffney, now in the hospital, bui
up TO within few days has been in one of the
solitary cells above described. Those prisoners
whose date of confinement dated back year oil
more, present with few exceptions. a ghastly
paleness, are more or less emaciated, and some
OF them are suffering more or less from sickness
arising, in most instances, from arrangement o.
bowels and stomach. Their food, except when
they are quite sick and placed on hospital diet,
consists of bread, beans and coffee with occa,
sionally meat for dinner and mush for break
fast or the same as is provided for the poorest
table ut the general mess.
Since the tenth of July last, the time they
were visited and interviewed by three OF the
Directors, all testimony agrees that their treat
ment has been first rate. Their cells have been
freshly whitewashed and cleaned. opportuni, les
could ask, and their buckets have been emptied
twice a day. Prior to that time, buckets were
emptied but once day, and as to their oppor-
tunities for bathing and exercise, testimony diff.
fers, officers claiming that they had been exer-
eised by walking in the corrider once or twice
or oftener, each week, and had been given
reasonably frequent opportunities for bathing
Prisoners testified that they had been deprived
months at time. We are bound to give ere
dence to the testimony of the officers, as against
that of the prisoners. Smidt, who has made
repe ated attempts to break out of Jail, is orna-
mented with what is known as an Oregon boot.
Barry at one time was shackled, for perSisting IN
kicking his cell door, aud at another time was
bucked and gagged for believing. number OF
letters from Wardens OF Eastern penitentiaries.
all in response to question from Warden Nc
Comb concerning their opinions of solitary con-
finement, have been submitted to u.s. and while
they show this character of punishment is gen.
orally resorted to. as one among other means of
subduing refractory prisoners, they in no III
stance seem to sanction 1t, except with caution
as to the physical condition of the prisoner, and
with proper restriction as to time. There is one
instance related where, out of 600 prisoners,
one man had been confined in solitary for three
year What effect the confinement had on his
health is not stated.
The wa den of another penitentiary refers to
confining them as long as they can stand it, prt
sumab,y, he means without injury to health,
and he puts the limit at 10 toe days. While we
believe the terms of confinement of some of Il e
prisoners at Folsom is excessive, the evidence
does not show it to have been inflicted with any
Intentional cruelty. The putting of Winters i'll
solitary the day OF ms commitment Is defended
by the officers on the ground of his notorious
and DESPERATE criminal character. We think,
however, that, like all other prisoners, he
should ut least have been given a chance.
Though coufessedly bad III an as many prison.
ers are on the outside, he might become at least
a submissive prisoner. As to Steifney and Muir
ply, who are evidently deranged, while we ap-
prove of their confinement. we are emphatic in
the opinion that instead of being kept in cells
allotted 10 the worst class of Offenders they
should have the best ventilated, best lighted
and otherwise most comfortable cells in the
prison.
THE wARpENs REPORT
To the Honorable STATE Board Of Prison Director;
-GESTLENEN Since my last report the discip
| line has been very much disturbed by the pub
| lication of charges rejecting severely on the
officers of the prison. Even the best of prison
| ers are affected by such charges no matter how
willing they may be to stand by the officers in
any sudden emergency or in upholGing the dis
cipline under ordinary circumstances The
| prisoner is held here against his viii, and The
| officers represent the law that has deprived him
of his liberty. Up to certain point there car
be displayed a kind of gratitude for good treat
| ment, and in many instances this becomes loyal
| devotion to those who have soffened the hard
ships OF enforced confinement but among tn,
| mass hostility is only quieted the agifator:
work on this feeling Of hostility and silence the
scrupies Of those who may be opposed TO array
1 ing themselves against the Officers BY demand
| ing that they shall join in the common cause
| The really loyal prisoners, with a very few ex
ceptions, are intimidated by threats of violence
and they know that such threats can easily be
carried into execution and that the officers are
deprived OF the support of the weIl-behaved
| Plots and eonspiracies that would otherwise
fail to enlist more than three or four now bring
thirty or forty together. The hitherto submis
sive and obSequious prisoner now becomes inn
pudent and disobedient. the diligent prisone,
| inchnes to idleness, the tough indulge in oh
scene language and threats
Many prisoners have said they would like tc
be heard by the Directors in favor of the oticers
If II could te done only on conditions that are i'm
posslble-the concealment of name and nun
| Der. A"A.
The fracas between Dick Reeves and Tommy
Brown in the interval is the outgrowth Of thi.
conoition .oI affairs. The tough prisoners be
| lieved that Tommy Brown intended to refiI,s
the testimony of those who complained of lact
OF exercise denial of baths etc. and to intimi
date him from telling the truth about the con
cocied Story OF the complainers. Seeyes con
triyed the pretext Tor quarrel. so as to ipiur,
Brown with the assistance of other refrac:or,
:srown defended himselfand made n murdero,,,
assauN on Reeves which was only saved from
pelng 1atai by the knife striking the rib
- otnsr prisoners Snonld be released from